Horse box builds

Discussion in 'Kits, Kit bashes & Scratch builds' started by Kimbo, Jul 13, 2021.

  1. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    2 more kits out of the box that have been gathering dust. Horse boxes.

    I was lucky enough to get a CPL Products Etch of a Dia N16 horse box, not sure if you can get these anymore, plus some lost wax parts. There’s a fair few bits missing and looking at the prototype there’s a few items that look very different, ie the supplied buffers are not correct, plus there are no instruction. I’ve managed to get some very good pictures from an o gauge builder, Tony Geary, who has built this kit to a very high standard.
    The second kit is the Dia N11 version from WEP Models, this is a new complete kit other than a set of wheels from Slaters. I’m hoping that the chassis build with all the intricate brake gear will be similar to the N16 version, so I might be building these two together.
    Third kit is yet to arrive from the UK. More on that one when it arrives.

    CPL etch with an assortment of lost wax parts



    WEP models


     
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  2. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Kim,

    I will watch these with interest, I have several horsebox kits in my stash, albeit non of them are GWR.
     
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  3. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Tinto in hand in anticipation Kimbo :scratchchin:

    Ian vt
     
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  4. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    The CPL etch has no markings for the end foot steps, but I can reference these from the WEP version……..




    …….Where as the CPL has the roof rain strips on the etch, but on the WEP version I will need to solder two very thin strips on…….

    so I’ve started with the WEP version, bending up the sole bars.




    next add the supports and the 4 large steps….there’s two more to add but these hang down off wire hangers, so I will add these later . The main chassis etch is Loverly., with lots of slot and tab connections. Just two bends to form it required.




    next job was to make up the brakes, each made up from 4 laminations. A simple wire jig makes this job a breeze. Springs where also laminated on to the chassis, again 4 seperate sections.


     
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  5. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Very nice, I haven't built any but I have heard good things about WEP kits.

    I do have one of their Cordon gas tank kits in my stash which will be built as those acquired ex ROD/WD by the GER (I think, but would need to check to be certain) but then transferred to the North East by the LNER
     
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  6. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    thanks Rob.

    ‘Roger has been filling my in box with lots of articles from several magazines detailing horse boxes and their use and in one article it mentions that it was quite common for a cordon gas tank to be parked up in a siding to replenish the gas supply to the wagons, so if I do build an area for the horse boxes to be displayed I now have an excuse to build one. They do look like a very interesting kit to build.
     
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  7. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Both kits have three point suspension, rocking at one end and fixed the other. CPL kit had no gas tank so I’ve used some brass tubing and some scrap etch for the strapping.


    The WEP version was assembled first which will make the task of sorting out the other version a little easier. It has gone together nicely, I do like the slot and tab assembly of this kit…..

     
  8. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Both chassis now completed and ready for a good wash and clean up.






    On testing both on the layout the WEP version did not run as smoothly as I hoped for and it also caused a shorting issue at the “rocking” axle end. So I’ve removed the original axle mounts and installed a set of WEP axle mounts with bearings, problem solved, both nice smooth runners now.
     
  9. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Nice

    Paul
     
  10. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    More detailing added to the CPL version, then a good clean up followed by etched primer.



     
  11. Peter Cross

    Peter Cross Full Member

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    Bit late to the party, but the WEP vac cylinder looks odd, to far away from the Vee's. Are these underframes steel or wooden prototypes?
     
  12. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Cheers Peter, don’t quite know what happened there. Easy fix.
    :thumbup: Kim

     
  13. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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  14. RALPH

    RALPH Full Member

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    Well done so far with your chassis, now for more fun I mean (challenge) building the Horse Box's. mate :thumbup:
    :cheers:Ralph
     
  15. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    The bodies of the two models are very different both in design and thickness of the etch.


    the CPL is much thicker and as I intended to do some major surgery to one or both of these models I think it’s the best candidate to attempt some madness


    a few Stanley blades later……



    yes correct, I’m going to attempt to make the doors (all 7 ) on one side work.

    my first idea was to use a thin copper tube and cut this into 1mm sections, solder one to the door and one to the body, add a brass rod to form a pin bobs your uncle….


    no good ! Not enough area to solder and hold the hinge, so, option two. 1mm etch strip, folded around a 1mm brass rod, soldered, make two for each hinge and solder the long tab to the door and body at each hinge position.





    push each pair into the hinge slots in the etch



    solder up carefully using a length of brass rod to hold all three pairs in position




    dab a small amount of solder to the top upper hinge ring to solder the bar to it, but taking care not to solder both rings up solid.


    cut bar under first hinge, slide bar down to second hinge, repeat process.


    clean up the rear hinge tabs


    one working door……which can simply be lifted off the hinges for painting.



    so this madness involves making 18 pairs of Hinges comprising of 2 parts plus a hinge pin for each, 2 further hinges and a long rod for the drop down section. Lots of careful soldering………..
     
  16. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    I love it Kim, nothing like a bit of madness to make life enjoyable.

    Looking forward to the next instalment.
     
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  17. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Too true Rob. I’m a sucker for looking at a photo and coming up with the mad idea of trying to replicate it in model form.

    so with the first door hinges done it was a case of replicating the hinges, all 30 of them and repeat the process on the groom’s door. Moving to the other end of the wagon there are twin doors which I left as one unit until the hinges were installed both sides then simply using a Stanley knife cut them into.



    the rear showing the tabs soldered up ready for trimming and clean up


    the front all lined up


    Seperate the two doors


    working storage doors


    Next up is the horse ramp and twin door assembly. Again this was left as one unit. The idea being to try and keep the doors square to each other, so I taped the panel into position and tackled the 6 pairs of hinges which will operate the top two doors



    next the ramp door. This is what I came up with. 1mm tube cut into 3 pieces. 2x small hinges sections approx 1mm long which then had a 1mm etch strap soldered to it, these hinges were then separated by a piece of tubing the width of the ramp door. A steel rod was then inserted to hold the assembly together, positions on the side frame and the hinges soldered to the body. Trim the excess steel rod off and clean up


    cut the panel lines carefully


    the final result, 7 working doors.


    the hinges also allow for each door to fold completely back on itself as per the prototype so there will be plenty of options to pose the wagon on a display board.



    ‘The copper tubing on the top two doors will be soldered and cut later, my thinking is that they add a little more protection to the door assembly whilst I finish the side off.

    Still a long way to go with this panel, as there are several very fine etched over lays to solder on, plus lots of fine detailing to make up which again are not in the CPL box.
    My plan is to complete these models and then scratch build a removable interior made from plasticard, with working inner swing doors used to seperate the three horses within.
    Anyone have any idea how to make a bale of hay or straw?
     
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  18. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Kim,
    I have used shredded sisal string to represent straw padding around barrels in an open wagon. What I can't help with is how to make into a believable bale.
     
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  19. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Cheers Rob, I’ll give it a go and report back.

    so the job of detailing the side panels begins. First job is to install some door stops..


    I’ve used some brass pins for these. Lost wax door handles supplied by CPL don’t fit ?? Very strange, I need to contact them and find out what I need or I might just make my own.
     
  20. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    It may be a tad late now but EasyBuild do a fret containing door stops and grab handles... obviously the grab handles are the wrong design for your needs as they are for BR standard coaches, I don't know it the door stop shape on early passenger stock is much different either unless the door buffer base is larger than the BR ones EasyBuild do in which case they may be no use to you Kim. Again just to say my only association with Easybuild is as a kit buyer.

    cheers Yorkie
     
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